42lb tope on sandeel

Stuart Webber’s lure fishing trip, turned into a session to remember when he landed this giant 42lb 12oz tope.

The keen sea angler was spinning for pollack off Baggy Point in Croyde, Devon, using frozen sandeel on a size 2/0 hook when the huge specimen took hold.

Miraculously Stuart managed to land the fish on just 25lb fluorocarbon line but soon returned to the same area with stronger gear in the hope of more tope and landed a 30lb fish on fresh mackerel bait just days later.